Two changes for the Azzurri

ITALY coach Nick Mallett has made two changes to his starting line-up for tomorrow's match in Rome.

Kaine Robertson drops to the bench with Andrea Masi taking his place at No14, while Gloucester lock Marco Bortolami replaces Carlo Antonio Del Fava from the starting XV that lost 29-11 in Ireland last weekend.

Del Fava is set to undergo surgery on his right knee after sustaining damage to his meniscus, and looks set to be sidelined for a month.

The Azzurri welcome back Valerio Bernabo after a two-year absence in the only change to the bench.

Bernabo takes injured scrum-half Simone Picone's place among the replacements.

The Italians head into this weekend's encounter looking to push England close just as they did the last time the sides met at the Stadio Flaminio, when the visitors secured a hard-fought 23-18 win two years ago.